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Like numerous immigrants before him looking for a better life, Peter Paul Nikolaus Elvers came with little in his pocket.
But Peter knew he could always find work.
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That’s because, in addition to the few dollars he had in his pocked, Peter — who was 92 when he died April 13 — also had a backpack with his carpentry tools.
And that helped the immigrant, who came from Germany in the late 1950s, find success.
As his family says, Peter, was not only a skilled cabinet maker who loved the feeling of wood in his hands and the challenges of getting precise measurements and angles, he also created his own wood stains and finishes.
Born in Hamburg, Peter believed in the power of education, but it was tough for him to get it. His dad died when he was only four years old and his mom died when he was 10 in the midst of the Second World War.
The war stalled his education, but after peace came, his family says he would work “long and physically demanding workdays” and then go to night school. Doing this, he was able to finish high school before going to university for a science degree and later a teaching certificate.
Peter had a number of jobs before bringing his tools to Red River College.
He was hired as a carpentry instructor and, over the next three decades, rose all the way up to becoming the Dean of Trades and Technology.
“He was proudest of the role he played in the education of others, helping many students learn a trade and build lives of their own,” his family says.
“A trade had allowed him to leave Germany, and build a life in Canada, and he often said that with a trade, you can always find work.”
Peter never really put down his tools. He was always ready to help and he even, at the age of 90, built a ramp outside his home to help his wife get in and out.
Peter was predeceased by his wife, but survived by two daughters and three grandchildren.
Read more about Peter.
How They Lived
Louise Nichols had helping hands.
Louise, who died April 12 at 85 years of age, was married to a member of the Armed Forces and moved many times, including to Cold Lake, Alta., Chatham, N.B., and Colorado Springs, Colo.
She also volunteered much of her time with both the Canadian and American Red Cross.
That’s how Louise found herself helping people after the earthquakes in Los Angeles, severe flooding in St. Louis, and the 9/11 attacks in New York City, and she also helped several Canadian communities evacuated by floods and fires.
Retiring with her husband in Winnipeg, Louise served as president of the Grace Hospital Auxiliary.
For all her volunteerism, Louise received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal in 2002.
Read more about Louise.
Robert Fallis was known in two sports.
Robert, who was 80 when he died Feb. 18, was a high school teacher who served as a longtime basketball referee in the Winnipeg School Division. He was also the convener for the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament.
Away from school, you could find Robert on the golf course — he was a lifetime member of Pine Ridge Golf Club.
Robert also volunteered, serving as Golf Manitoba’s rules chair, referee and board member.
Read more about Robert.
Margery Forgay helped to protect your teeth — here and nationally.
Margery, who died April 11 at 93, received her dental hygiene diploma in Rochester, N.Y., and later her Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba.
She was the founding director of the University of Manitoba’s School of Dental Hygiene from 1963 to 1976, and later served two terms as acting director.
Margery also went to Halifax, where she was the director of Dalhousie University’s School of Dental Hygiene from 1985 to 1989.
She also organized the country’s first conference on dental hygiene research education and practice, chaired the federal government’s working group on the practice of dental hygiene, and was an international advisor on the practice.
Margery was honoured as professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba.
Read more about Margery.
Sheldon Bowles was the son of a Lieutenant-Governor who flunked Grade 11 and had to take it again — and that’s how he met his wife.
Sheldon, who was 83 when he died April 5, did finally graduate and while in university he served as editor of the university newspaper.
He later worked at the Winnipeg Free Press, becoming business editor, until Senator Doug Everett hired him to work at Royal Canadian Securities.
Sheldon became president of Domo Gasoline where, with its Jump to the Pump service, he helped make it one of the country’s largest independent retail gasoline chains.
And, if that wasn’t enough, Sheldon also became a New York Times bestselling author of books including Raving Fans, Gung Ho!, and High Five!
Read more about Sheldon.
Greg Pester was a local music legend.
Greg, who was 70 when he died April 6, was the owner, operator and driving force behind the Royal George Hotel in Transcona. He gave musicians a stage to play on, and also played with several bands himself including The Chaparrals and Sassy Jack.
Read more about Greg.
A Life’s Story
John Fefchak was a prolific newspaper-letter writer, but that’s because he was very interested in the environment and water quality.
John spent his career in Canada’s air force, working in maintenance including helping keep the Snowbirds aloft.
John Fefchak at the Wall of Remembrance in Brandon, where his name is among those of local military veterans. (Supplied)
After retiring, John and his wife lived in Virden and that’s when he joined Hog Watch Manitoba. Through the years, John let people know his views on the negative impacts of factory barns.
“His memory of historical events, both in the hog industry and other important societal issues, was extraordinary,” said former Winnipeg Humane Society executive director Vicki Burns.
“It became very evident that John was a compassionate, principled human being who cared deeply about humans, animals and every element of our natural world.”
Read more about John’s life.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life’s story.
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